Handset eases roaming between Wi-Fi and GSM

Nokia's 6136 supports UMA technology to simplify switchover between Wi-Fi and cellular networks

Nokia 6136 handset

New handset technologies, fixed-mobile convergence, and mobile messaging were the focus of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.

As part of this, Nokia showed off its first handset designed to support seamless roaming between cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

Nokia’s 6136 phone, due to ship in the second quarter of 2006, features Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology to enable seamless handover between GSM and Wi-Fi networks. Orange will be one of the first carriers to offer the handset, according to Nokia.

UMA is a specification developed by handset vendors and carriers to extend phone voice and data services over other wireless network technologies. The quad-band 6136 includes an email client with support for attachments and push-to-talk capability.

“The Nokia 6136 clearly demonstrates the complementary nature of cellular and IP-based networks,” said Nokia’s Kai Oistamo. “By implementing UMA into this device, worldwide GSM coverage is combined with WLAN coverage for a seamless communications experience.”

Also aiding fixed-mobile convergence, Avaya’s Communication Manager now supports the Nokia 9300 and 9500 Communicator handsets. The tool enables users to be reached via a single contact number on either their mobile handset or desktop phone, and have access to corporate facilities such as call forwarding.

Nokia also announced a partnership with Vodafone to extend Nokia’s Series 60 as a standard platform in Vodafone’s device portfolio. However, Vodafone also announced it will offer Windows Mobile 5.0 handsets as part of a new mobile service known as Windows Mobile Email, which combines handsets with airtime contracts.